Summary:
- Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic role in ‘Zanjeer’ came after top Bollywood actors declined the part.
- Directed by Prakash Mehra, the film turned Bachchan into a major star and changed Bollywood’s hero archetype.
- Dev Anand rejected the role due to the lack of songs, which he felt would not suit his image.
Amitabh Bachchan’s rise to stardom was significantly shaped by his role in the film ‘Zanjeer,’ but the story behind his casting reveals a series of high-profile rejections. Directed by Prakash Mehra and written by the famous Salim-Javed duo, ‘Zanjeer’ became a landmark film that established Bachchan as the ‘Angry Young Man’ of Indian cinema, forever altering the portrayal of heroes in Bollywood.
Interestingly, Bachchan was not the first choice for the film. According to Jaya Bachchan, Prakash Mehra initially approached several leading actors including Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, and Dev Anand. Despite the film’s strong script and promising potential, these actors turned down the role, leading Mehra to feel a mix of frustration and determination. Jaya Bachchan recounted Mehra’s anger at being rejected, stating, “Prakash Mehra’s anger was: ‘How dare anybody do this? I know this is a good story, I know that it would make a difference.’”
Veterans like Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan provided further insights into why these stars passed on the film. Sachin Pilgaonkar revealed that Dev Anand declined the role because the script lacked songs, which were a staple for Anand’s performances. Anand’s reluctance stemmed from his belief that the audience would not accept him without musical numbers, saying, “You’d remember how Vijay doesn’t have even one song. This is the reason why Dev (Anand) sahab refused to act in it.”
With the top actors rejecting the role, Prakash Mehra was left searching for an alternative. During this search, Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan noticed Amitabh Bachchan in an action scene from ‘Bombay to Goa’ and saw him as a fitting choice for ‘Zanjeer.’ At the time, Bachchan was struggling, having experienced a series of flops and facing difficulty in finding work. Film journalist Bhawna Somaiya noted that Bachchan was at a low point in his career when he was cast in ‘Zanjeer.’
Bachchan’s performance in ‘Zanjeer’ not only marked a turning point in his career but also introduced a new kind of Bollywood hero—one who was intense and serious, breaking away from the traditional song-and-dance routines. This role redefined his career and solidified his place as a leading figure in Indian cinema.
